Page 8 of Britta & the Beach Boy
“It isexceptional.” Archie rakes his hand through his red, wavy hair. “You seem like a nice girl, Britta, but you’ve got no business at the biggest surfing event of the year if you don’t even know whoKelly Slateris.”
I laugh, assuming he’s teasing, but his face only grows more serious.
“Really? I can’t go? What do you think is going to happen? My lack of knowledge about surfing will spread like a nasty virus on a cruise ship?” I try to keep my voice light, but the more Archie doesn’t want me to go, the more I want to.
Dex’s mouth twitches while Archie’s face flushes with anger.
“This competition is a big deal, no matter what Dex says. He needs to stay focused if he’s going to win.” Archie’s words are measured and even, despite the irritation that underscores each one.
Dex turns to Archie. “The crowd will be too big for me to even see her.”
They stare at each other, Dex lifting his chin to meet Archie’s downward gaze. Finally, Archie lets out a loud, annoyed sigh. “Fine.”
Just as I’m about to make a snarky comment about two men deciding what I can and cannot do, I hear Stella’s bedroom door open. I take a few steps backwards to peer down the hall. She takes one step out of her room, wearing a T-shirt that barely covers her thighs, her black hair tumbling from a loose bun on top of her head.
“Do you have the TV on? Or are our neighbors just really loud?” she asks in a tired voice, rubbing her eyes.
I scramble around the couch and spread my arms and legs wide in the hallway entrance to block Dex and Archie’s view to the opposite end. Stella will never forgive me if they see her with bedhead.
“We have company, Stella!” I call to her before glancing back at our guests.
Simultaneously, our “company” both crane their necks to see down the hallway.
She stops in her tracks, and her mouth drops open. “It’s barely nine o’clock. On a Saturday.”
“Eight o’clock California time,” Dex yells to Stella as though they’ve met more than once. “But we brought coffee.”
At the sound of his voice, Stella jumps back into her room.
“It’s Starbucks,” I warn as I jog down the hallway to hand her the cup.
“Thank you?” Stella, still in an early-morning haze, calls around my shoulder to Dex even though he’s out of sight in the kitchen. Then she gives me a look and mutters, “Guess I’ll get dressed.”
When I come back to the open kitchen and sitting room area, Dex and Archie are already at the door.
“We’ll head out,” Dex says. “But bring Stella, too, if you can make it. I’m not allowed on my phone this close to an event.” He sends Archie an accusing look, making it clear who’s made the no-phone rule. “So, I’ll give Archie your number, and he’ll give you all the info about times and how to get there.”
“You have my number?”
Dex stops his exit long enough for a confident grin to tug at his lip. “Course I do.”
“Good.” I smile back, ignoring Archie shaking his head—again—and my own doubts about what I’ve gotten myself into. “So, do I wear a swimsuit? Or what? Are you the only one getting in the water? Or can we swim?”
Dex’s expression is both puzzled and amused. “Whatever you wear to the beach. There’s no formal dress code.”
“Sunscreen and a bikini.” Archie gives Dex a pointed look when he saysbikini. Like he’s reminding him that’s the only reason Dex wants me there. Dex only smiles.
Archie turns back to me, and in a resigned voice, adds, “And a jumper. I’ll bring towels and chairs for you. And an Esky with drinks and snacks.”
“Excellent. Thanks.” I pass on asking what a jumper and aneskyare. I’ve already made it painfully obvious how little I know about surfing, the beach, and California in general. An esky holds drinks and snacks. That’s all I need to know.
“And thanks for stopping by and bringing the coffee,” I add, as I follow them to the front door.
“Yeah. See ya soon,” Dex says with a slow smile that sends a charge of electricity through me.
“Yeah.” I return his relaxed goodbye with an even more casual one before shutting the door and letting out my own smile.
I’ve been in LA less than twenty-four hours, and already Dex and I are back to the easy banter that came so quickly the first time we met. I have a feeling my time here will be fun whenever he’s around. Just like when he was in Paradise, there’s no risk of attachment. I’m only here six weeks, at the most.
